Navigating Post-Pandemic Social Anxiety

Wearing face masks in public for nearly two years has changed how we approach social interactions. These coverings created multiple challenges in face-to-face social interactions, from dealing with foggy glasses to straining to hear muffled conversations. Despite their importance in preventing the spread of disease, their impact on our mental health is still unknown. For instance, face-to-face interaction is crucial for language development and emotion regulation. So it may have been more challenging to learn these skills and keep up with them while regularly wearing a face covering.

Yet, as face masks became routine, some found a new sense of comfort and security in moving through the day with their faces shielded. Research has found that some people, especially those with social anxiety, reported feeling less anxious during the mask and social distancing mandates.

Everyone experiences social anxiety to varying degrees. But for some people, it causes a great deal of stress that interferes with daily functioning. People with chronic social anxiety have an extremely high level of self-consciousness. They think everyone is intensely scrutinizing them and judging their appearance and every movement and utterance with a laser focus for any flaws or imperfections.